Reflective Blog TEC-538

Today’s blog will reflect on what a technology-infused classroom would look like. A technology-infused classroom is one that incorporates technology into its day-to-day routines. According to Dr. Meeuwse a technology-infused classroom is one that: “if done correctly, the technology becomes invisible” (Meeuwse, 2013). This is a great point as it should be seamless. Integrating technology should be no different than utilizing a textbook, a worksheet, or any other tool needed for teachers to teach or students to successfully learn. There is no mandated format as to what exactly a technology-infused classroom should look. While it may be preferred for the format to be a 1:1 ratio of student to device, funding is still a major hurdle for many schools today. Some schools have the funding to create this type of scenario and then some. Meaning they have a 1:1 student:device ratio, including technological tools for the teacher to use as well. On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have sch

Hello, There are many tools available to today’s teacher that provides them with opportunities to make an impact on the teaching and learning process within the classroom. This week we discussed visual literacy. Visual literacy is quite simply using pictures to convey something versus using words.   It could be a poster or visual aid a teacher may adorn her room with or it could be the way a math problem is portrayed.The idea is to get a message across within the picture with little to no text.  Some examples follow: In a library or maybe even a classroom reading nook, one might find something like this:     This image displays a young girl demonstrating what we all understand as being quiet, or quite simply "shhh." This makes a clear statement without ever needing to add text stating to be quiet. Here is another example: This is one we see used universally. While it may be more readily used with the word STOP emblazoned upon it, this simple

There was a time when a variety of instructional strategies meant being treated to the glorious and familiar reverberating click of a film strip. It may also have included the occasional game played by the class or even some sort of handheld manipulative which at my school meant math based flash cards. My elementary years were during the late 1970’s through the 1980’s. Needless to say, technology was not at the forefront of the classroom. Oh sure, we were treated to an occasional trip to the special room that played host to the then new Apple II and being introduced to a game called The Oregon Trail…wow! Sadly, though the classroom strategy never veered far from everyone sitting quietly in neat little rows, listening to a teacher lecture on and on. Sometimes we were lucky to see something different through the use of an overhead projector.   Over the years education has improved by leaps and bounds. Regardless of the naysayers who focus only on Common Core or state testing.

So... I am required to create a blog for my class with GCU. This is that attempt. First post and really have no clue what I am doing. It will most definitely be a learn as I go process, to include the tried and true method of "hunt and peck." I guess I have typed enough for the time being. I will now save, publish, and see how it goes.